Awards

CU Boulder students win big at collegiate hydropower competition

Jeff Zehnder — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:16:45 +0000

CU Boulder students win big at collegiate hydropower competition Jeff Zehnder Fri, 06/20/2025 - 14:16

A powerhouse group of graduating seniors from the University of Colorado Boulder made waves in a sustainable challenge that’s all about energizing the future.

The CU Hydropower Team took part in this year’s Hydropower Collegiate Competition, where 12 teams from universities across the country were tasked with developing unique energy solutions using fresh, moving water—one of the Earth’s oldest forms of renewable energy.

The CU Hydropower Team holding up their award-winning testing apparatus on competition day.

But they weren’t just participants. They were overwhelming winners, earning first-place honors in a variety of contests within the competition, including the highly coveted Overall Best Team award.

“We had a great group and a really good workload sharing system,” said Logistics Manager Miles Salzer. “We weren’t really sure how we were going to do or what the outcome would be. There were a lot of challenges, but we overcame them and we’re proud of what we were able to accomplish.”

The competition, sponsored by the Department of Energy and the Water Power Technologies Office, was launched in 2022. It allows teams to showcase their engineering prowess by conceptually designing plans for either an electricity generating power dam or a functioning closed-loop pump storage facility.

The team chose to tackle the closed-loop pump storage facility—a novel hydropower solution that features two independent reservoirs that transport water back and forth, much like the sand in an hourglass. The system is also hydrodynamically sealed, preventing water from exiting the system.

CAD Engineer Jack Printup says this new pump storage concept is currently growing in popularity as a clean energy and sustainable alternative, but there are still some environmental risks involved.

“It’s basically a big water battery that lasts longer and is more consistent than other nonrenewable sources, but like nuclear plants, they can cause some damage to the area around it,” Printup said. “Our task was to choose and develop a site for our pump storage facility that was safe and could be implemented in the real world.”

CU Hydropower team members Sascha Fowler (left) and Pisay Suzuki (right) working on their testing apparatus in preparation for the competition.

But the competition doesn’t just focus on technical design. Judges also assessed the team’s ability to manage their facility’s finances and cybersecurity.

They even measured the group’s ability to use digital tools to increase community awareness or quickly pitch their plan to a panel of “investors” in an environment reminiscent of the hit TV show “Shark Tank.”

Luckily, Salzer said the group was perfectly equipped to handle the interdisciplinary obstacles with a well-rounded force of their own. The team featured students from the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Environmental Engineering Program, the Department of Computer Science and even the Leeds School of Business.

“I think the different backgrounds made our group really unique,” said Salzer. “Hydropower—and renewable energy in general—are large and complex infrastructure projects. One of our team’s biggest strengths compared to other teams was our varied skill sets that allowed us to handle all of the challenges.”

Most importantly, however, the competition is designed to help college graduates develop skills, connections and interest in the hydropower industry.

Printup says increased activity and engagement in hydropower can be crucial, and this competition really sparked his passion.

“There are spurts in the hydropower industry—you build a large plant and then 60 years later it needs to be refurbished or new facilities need to be built,” Printup said. “I’m going into hydropower to continue developing this incredible technology, but also make sure public safety is at the forefront.”

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Environmental engineering senior earns community impact award

Jeff Zehnder — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 17:34:58 +0000

Environmental engineering senior earns community impact award Jeff Zehnder Mon, 04/28/2025 - 11:34

Anjali Velamala is a senior double majoring in environmental engineering and applied math and is a 2025 recipient of the Community Impact Award from the College of Engineering and Applied Science. She is also being recognized by the Environmental Engineering Program as one of two Outstanding Graduate Award honorees.

What are your post-graduation plans?

I am planning to do a process engineering summer internship at a water treatment plant. Then I will be living in India for four months, traveling to many countries (Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Ghana, South Africa) and then living in Europe for the rest of the year. After a year(ish) of traveling I plan to go to graduate school, law school, or jumping into a career in engineering or consulting.

What is your favorite memory from your time at CU Boulder?

This one was hard, but I would say finishing the ukulele I built from scratch in Bill Rumley's string instrument building class (through the art department). The moment I tuned it up and played it for the first time was so peaceful and satisfying.

What accomplishment are you most proud of, either academically or personally?

I’m most proud of the quiet, intentional rituals I’ve built around crafting a sustainable life. I'm proud of the first wooden spoon I carved in Marseille while visiting my aunt whose girlfriend is a luthier. That moment sparked a love for handmade objects.

Since then, I’ve spent countless hours expanding that craft. Many of the utensils in my kitchen—and in the kitchens of those I love—have been shaped by my hands. I eat off plates I sculpted and fired myself, sit on furniture I built, and read science nonfiction while my sourdough rises—made from a starter I’ve nurtured for six years.

These rituals aren’t just hobbies; they’re a reminder that sustainability isn’t just something I study—it’s something I live, one small, intentional act at a time.

When did you felt like you hit your stride or felt like you were “officially” an engineer.

I’m not sure I’ve ever had a moment where I thought, ‘I’m officially an engineer.’ For me, it’s in the small moments of problem solving where I really feel my knowledge show up. Recently, I was helping a friend study for a math exam for welding school, and as I looked at the questions, I realized how naturally the concepts came to me—and that now I'm in a position to teach them. It made me recognize that my knowledge has taken years to gain and I have learned so much more than I realize.

What is your biggest piece of advice for incoming engineering students?

I like to emphasize the importance of trying new things and building real community—values I truly embraced during college. One powerful experience was going to an African dance midterm one of my friends invited me to. Despite my nerves, stepping into that room changed me. The joy, openness, and support I felt gave me confidence and helped shift my mindset from individualism to community.

I took African Dance I and II after that experience.

Nii Armah Sowah, the professor, taught that while we can move fast alone, we go farther together. A quote from class stays with me: “A human being needs help.”

In a society that often encourages isolation, I found hope in knowing authentic community still exists. My advice to students: try new things with an open heart. Community will follow.

What experiences or qualities do you think led to you receiving the Community Impact Award?

I think receiving this award reflects my commitment to interdisciplinary learning and honoring the human side of engineering. My educational journey has been… less like a straight pipeline and more like a questionably-designed greywater recycling system—messy, looping, and beautifully sustainable.

Beyond my majors in environmental engineering and applied math and my art practices minor, I’ve explored everything from linguistics and biology to geology, computer science, business, and dance. I’ve come to believe that good engineering doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens through curiosity, collaboration, and care.

I value the liberal arts ideals that have shaped my thinking: asking better questions, listening closely, and making space for nuance. These values have guided my academic work, my community engagement, and my vision for how engineers can serve a more interconnected, just world.

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Professor receives ASCE Peurifoy Construction Research Award

Jeff Zehnder — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:28:45 +0000

Professor receives ASCE Peurifoy Construction Research Award Jeff Zehnder Wed, 03/26/2025 - 16:28

Professor Amy Javernick-Will received the 2025 Peurifoy Construction Research Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers, the highest ASCE academic honor in construction engineering and management. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to construction engineering through research and technological advancements.

“I am incredibly fortunate to have received such amazing mentorship and support throughout my career,” wrote Javernick-Will in a LinkedIn post. “I also want to extend my gratitude to the communities whose wisdom, passion and collaboration have enabled collective action to improve the built environment.”

At CU Boulder, Javernick-Will leads the Global Projects and Organizations Research Group, which integrates social sciences and engineering to address complex problems and achieve beneficial community outcomes.

Javernick-Will also recently received the 2024 Pathfinder Award, the highest honor from the Engineering Project Organization Society, at its annual conference in Bar Harbor, Maine.

“The Peurifoy award highlights Amy’s groundbreaking work at the intersection of social and built systems—advancing community resilience, post-disaster recovery and the sustainable delivery of infrastructure services for all, especially marginalized communities,” wrote Professor Keith Molenaar on LinkedIn. Molenaar, dean of CU Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Science, received the Peurifoy award in 2021. “Amy’s work is a great example of how engineering isn’t just about what we build—it’s about who we build it for. Her research is defining the future of construction and infrastructure, making sure that the systems we create are more sustainable, resilient and equitable.”

Javernick-Will earned her PhD in civil engineering, construction engineering and management from Stanford University and both her MS and BS in civil engineering from CU Boulder.

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AWWA names Professor Karl Linden 2025 A.P. Black Research Award recipient

Jeff Zehnder — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 18:24:50 +0000

AWWA names Professor Karl Linden 2025 A.P. Black Research Award recipient Jeff Zehnder Tue, 03/25/2025 - 12:24

Professor Karl Linden has been named by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) as the recipient of the 2025 A.P. Black Research Award. Established in 1967 in honor of Dr. A.P. Black, the award recognizes outstanding research contributions to water science and water supply practices.

Linden, professor and chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, is a leading expert in UV-based oxidation and disinfection. He is being recognized for decades of pioneering work in UV water treatment technology.

Linden will be formally presented with the A.P. Black Research Award at the AWWA Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE25) in Denver on June 9.

Read the full article at AWWA...

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CU Boulder faculty recognized for advancing environmental engineering

Jeff Zehnder — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:39:33 +0000

CU Boulder faculty recognized for advancing environmental engineering Jeff Zehnder Tue, 01/14/2025 - 08:39

Two professors from CU Boulder’s Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering have been honored by The American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists through its 40 Under 40 Recognition Program.

Associate Professor Sherri Cook and Assistant Professor Cresten Mansfeldt were recognized as “talented individuals who have, either personally or as part of a team, been responsible for helping to advance the fields of environmental science or environmental engineering in a demonstrable way within the last 12 months,” according to the academy’s website.

Cook received her BS from Virginia Tech and her MSE and PhD from the University of Michigan. At CU Boulder, she pioneered three courses that teach sustainability principles to students across disciplines. Her research focuses on sustainable solutions to global drinking water and sanitation challenges, aiming to improve treatment systems while minimizing risks to human health, the environment, and financial stability. Her research has included innovative technologies such as biochar-based micropollutant removal from wastewater and advancing zero-carbon bio-cement through her co-founded company, Prometheus.

Mansfeldt earned his PhD at Cornell University, after completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota. He refined his expertise during a postdoctoral fellowship at Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology. Mansfeldt teaches courses on material flows, from microbial carbon cycling to urban waste management. His research focuses on the interplay between natural and built environments, emphasizing water reuse, the microbiome of built environments and the impacts of disasters, such as wildfires, on urban systems. Past projects include monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in campus wastewater, evaluating the risk of synthetic biology products and exploring the bioethics of biological innovations in environmental engineering. His current research examines contaminants from wildland-urban interfaces, tracking synthetic biology products in the environment and advancing water reuse.

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CU Boulder environmental engineering undergrad program ranked #9 among public universities.

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 20:25:25 +0000

CU Boulder environmental engineering undergrad program ranked #9 among public universities. Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/14/2022 - 14:25

The College of Engineering and Applied Science gained a spot U.S. News and World Report’s Best Undergraduate Engineering rankings this year, coming in at No. 17 among public institution peers.

Six degree programs in the college also earned top 20 spots among public universities in the engineering specialty rankings and Best Undergraduate Computer Science rankings:

Aerospace engineering sciences (No. 6)
Environmental engineering (No. 9)
Chemical engineering (No. 13)
Mechanical engineering (No. 15)
Civil engineering (No. 17)
Computer science (No. 19)

The rankings were released on the U.S. News and World Report website on Sept. 11. Undergraduate rankings are based on assessments of 1,500 U.S. bachelor's degree-granting institutions on 17 measures of academic quality, including graduation and retention rates, financial resources per students, and average alumni giving rate. Read more about their methodology.

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EVEN Students Claim Third Place at Geothermal Collegiate Competition

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 19:36:40 +0000

EVEN Students Claim Third Place at Geothermal Collegiate Competition Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 06/14/2022 - 13:36

Miles Salzer

A team of EVEN students recently took third place at the 2022 Geothermal Collegiate Competition.

The University of Colorado Team featured undergraduate students Calvin Malkoski, Natalie Alvarado, Alise Gladbach, Alex Martin, and Titus Ellison. Together, they designed a geothermal heat pump for the I Have a Dream Foundation of Boulder County.

The pump is designed to lower natural gas emissions for heating during the winter months while also being able to act as an air conditioner during the warmer months. Their system can produce four times the energy required to run, making it a fantastic renewable resource.

The competition, sponsored by the Department of Energy, aims to prepare “students to scale up geothermal technologies in a way that prioritizes individual communities and their unique needs,” says Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Kelly Speakes-Backman. The event, hosted annually, hopes to inspire the next generation of geothermal technologies.

As part of their third-place finish, the team won $2,500 in funding for their design. In addition, University of Colorado Boulder also received $10,000 for their ongoing support.

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CU student awarded prestigious Udall Scholarship for work in water resources

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 16:46:56 +0000

CU student awarded prestigious Udall Scholarship for work in water resources Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 06/14/2022 - 10:46

Beth Rossman, a sophomore majoring in environmental engineering, has been awarded a Udall Scholarship, becoming the 12th CU Boulder student to be honored with the scholarship.

Rossman, who is from Littleton and is specializing in water resources and treatment with the goal of becoming a water resources engineer, is one of 55 students honored with the scholarship nationally in 2022. The scholarships are awarded to students who show a commitment to leadership, public service, the environment and Native American issues.

“To me, inequitable access to clean water around the world is one of the most pressing challenges we face, and this issue has a profound impact on both people and the natural world,” Rossman said. “Ultimately, my goal is to work toward solving the many water resources problems that are worsening as a result of climate change.”

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships of up to $7,000 each to college sophomores and juniors. This year’s scholars were selected out of 382 eligible candidates nominated by 181 colleges and universities.

“It’s exciting to see Beth recognized for her commitment to environmental equity through water resources engineering,” said Deborah Viles, director of the Office of Top Scholarships at CU Boulder. “Beth says she hopes to bring the spirit of Morris and Stewart Udall into her career, and I believe she will do just that. Her success makes us all proud.”

Sophomores and juniors interested in pursuing careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care should contact Viles at viles@colorado.edu for information on how to apply next year.

CU Boulder Today chatted with Rossman about her time at CU Boulder and plans for the future.

What are you up to this summer?

This summer I will be working as an engineering intern with Tacoma Water, which is a public utility that provides clean water to more than 300,000 people in Tacoma, ��Ĺ��ý. I’m looking forward to this opportunity because I will be part of a team that works to provide crucial services to serve a community.

Why CU Boulder?

I chose CU for its amazing environmental engineering program, as well as the opportunity to pursue a variety of hobbies, such as skiing, backpacking and music.

What do you do for fun?

Outside of school and work, I spend most of my time outdoors or making music. I am the music director of one of CU’s co-ed a capella groups, and I am also involved in the treble chorus. I love hiking, skiing and backpacking, and if I’m not out doing one of those things I’m typically planning my next big road trip.

Best part of going to CU Boulder?

My favorite part about going to CU is the support I receive from my friends, coworkers and professors to pursue my goals, whether academic or just for fun. I’ve been able to pursue so many different dreams, from becoming an engineer to singing in a college a capella group. I also love that CU values sustainability as much as I do.

What’s next after college?

Once I graduate, I hope to pursue a master’s degree in hydrology or environmental engineering, and then pursue my professional engineer license.

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Three EVEN students earn CU Engineering Graduating Student Awards

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 20:07:23 +0000

Three EVEN students earn CU Engineering Graduating Student Awards Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/09/2021 - 13:07

Jeff Zehnder

Three December 2021 graduates of the Environmental Engineering Program are being recognized by the College of Engineering and Applied Science for their achievements.

Anthony Pimentel, Leah Rivera, and Bailey Vigil are each being honored for their efforts as undergraduate students. Each student and their award is highlighted below. You can also see the full list of honorees at the college of engineering Graduating Student Awards website.

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Campus pandemic team recognized with CU Boulder award

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 18:49:18 +0000

Campus pandemic team recognized with CU Boulder award Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 11/11/2021 - 11:49

CU Boulder’s Alumni Awards are recognizing a team of faculty and staff for their efforts on the COVID 19 pandemic.

Environmental engineering faculty members Cresten Mansfeldt and Shelly Miller are among a group of employees collectively referred to as the CU Boulder Pandemic Scientific Steering Committee and Science Team (“The Team”) receiving a 2021 Robert L. Stearns Award.

The full list of honorees include Kristen Bjorkman (PhDBioChem’07), Gloria Brisson, Jose Jimenez, Mark Kavanaugh, Daniel Larremore (ApMath’09; PhD’12), Leslie Leinwand, Cresten Mansfeldt,Jennifer McDuffie, Matt McQueen (Psych’96), Shelly Miller,Roy Parker and Melanie Parra.

Most people will forever remember where they were in March 2020 as the world began to shut down. For many at CU Boulder, an incredible haul of work instantly followed.

Like the COVID-19 virus, their tasks were new, momentous and immediate.

“I can think of no more difficult year than the one that began on March 13, 2020, and was dominated by COVID-19, its impact on our students, faculty and staff and our institutional response,” said CU Boulder provost Russ Moore.

One group of faculty and staff — the CU Boulder Pandemic Scientific Steering Committee and Science Team, or “The Team” — was set on determining how the university could remain operational during a pandemic.

“Without being asked, and in the true spirit of public service, the members of the Scientific Steering Committee and Science Team dropped what they were doing in order to develop the science and many of the associated operations that allowed our campus to successfully open and operate,” said Moore.

The Team consisted of Kristen Bjorkman, Gloria Brisson, Jose Jimenez, Mark Kavanaugh, Daniel Larremore, Leslie Leinwand, Cresten Mansfeldt, Jennifer McDuffie, Matt McQueen, Shelly Miller, Roy Parker and Melanie Parra. Their priority was the safety of the CU Boulder community and beyond.

Their work was evident in every aspect of campus life.

They developed saliva- and wastewater-based SARS-CoV-2 screening tests to find both individual infections and larger outbreaks on campus. They created a contact tracing program that involved eager students and became one of the most responsive in the state. They helped design the HVAC systems that were installed throughout campus to reduce airborne disease transmission. They guided physical distancing and masking protocols. Most importantly, their solutions were grounded in science.

Their ideas and implementations were constant — sometimes happening from the hours of 2 to 4 a.m. or on weekends. The work is not done. Much of The Team’s scientific work will be studied, reviewed and published to help future crisis response practices.

In the words of the provost, speaking on behalf of thousands positively impacted by their work, “The Team’s dedication serves as an inspiration to us all.”

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Mozkke6GY]

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